Signs of labor: Know what to expect
Every woman’s labor is unique. But understanding the typical signs of labor can help you know what to expect as your due date approaches.
On television, babies are often born with a rush of emotion and swift action. The mother doubles over from the pain of a single contraction, and the baby appears before the commercial break.
In reality, labor usually begins less dramatically.
No one knows for sure what triggers labor — and every woman’s experience is unique. But understanding the typical signs of labor can help you know what to expect as your due date approaches.
Lightening: Adjusting the pressure
One of the first signs of labor may be a sensation that the baby is settling deeper into your pelvis. This is known as lightening.
The baby’s new position may give your lungs more room to expand, making it easier to breathe. On the flip side, you may experience pelvic discomfort, and increased pressure on your bladder may send you to the bathroom more often.
For a first pregnancy, lightening may occur weeks or days before labor begins. For subsequent pregnancies, it may not happen ahead of time. For some women, the changes are obvious. Others may not notice a thing.
Effacement: Ripening of the cervix
Your cervix prepares for birth by softening and thinning, or effacing. You won’t feel this sign of labor happening. Instead, your health care provider will check for signs of cervical change with vaginal exams.
Effacement is often expressed in percentages. When you’re 50 percent effaced, your cervix is half its original thickness. Your cervix must be 100 percent effaced, or completely thinned out, before a vaginal delivery.
Dilation: Opening of the cervix
Your cervix will also begin to open, or dilate. Your health care provider will measure the dilation in centimeters from zero to 10.
At first, these cervical changes may be very slow. In fact, some women are dilated 2 to 3 centimeters for days or even weeks before labor actually begins. Your progress isn’t a good indicator of when labor will begin, but rather a general sign that you’re getting ready for labor. Once you’re in active labor, expect to dilate more quickly.
